Research-Based Strategies for Teaching Reading to Struggling Readers and English Language Learners

Professional Development

Learn how Reading Horizons can boost student success:

Empower Teachers to Empower Students

When students fall behind in reading, they rarely fall in sync—creating a comlicated web of needs for their teachers to navigate. However, even though struggling students get stuck at different skills and levels, they all need the same type of instruction. Reading Horizons Professional Development Trainings empower teachers with proven strategies for clearly explaining each skill needed for reading success—while engaging students in the research-based best practices of effective reading instruction. Upon completing this training, teachers are prepared with strategies to address the needs of struggling readers and English Language Learners of all ages and ability levels.

Preview a few of the skills taught in the training with this short overview:

Available Training Options:

The Implementation Coach Partner Program provides teachers and administrators with the support they need to implement the Reading Horizons program with fidelity. Each partner school receives two days of initial on-site training for teachers and two additional on-site coaching days with an implementation expert during the first two months of implementation. These coaches are implementation experts with years of experience using the Reading Horizons method and materials in classrooms.

This package is the standard professional development option for implementing Reading Horizons. This package includes one day of hands-on, in-person instruction in either the Reading Horizons Discovery® or Reading Horizons Elevate® course. Attendees will be familiarized with the importance of the method, instructed in the basic framework of the program, and participate in games and activities to become familiar with what the students experience. The single day of training is paired with unlimited annual site access to the Reading Horizons Online Professional Development Course. The course includes six in-depth, virtual training modules corresponding to the six chapters in the Reading Horizons program. The modules are accessible year-round on Reading Horizons Accelerate™.

The Reading Horizons Online Professional Development Course consists of six virtual training modules corresponding with the six chapters of the Reading Horizons program plus one introduction module. The six core content modules begin with a pre-test to determine depth of instruction, explicit instruction and practice in the content, practice and application, classroom observation videos, and a posttest to assess understanding. The modules are completed sequentially for instruction but can be reviewed in any order after completion of each module. A certificate of completion is provided when the modules are complete. Licenses are renewed annually.

Six weeks to three months following the initial two-day training, an additional day of training is desirable. This training is a review of the skills taught in the initial workshop and provides a venue to discuss issues. This workshop also instructs in the additional skills taught at the end of the Reading Horizons program. Teachers will learn cross-curriculum application of all skills taught in the program, along with transfer strategies and student/report monitoring for ensured student success. Completion of this third day of training, along with practicum hours and completion of a written exam, qualifies the teacher for teacher certification. Teacher observation from a Reading Horizons trainer or the teacher’s director/supervisor is also suggested to ensure mastery of concepts and fidelity of instruction.

This coaching provides on-site observation and training conducted by a Certified Workshop Instructor for the reading coach/facilitator and teachers who have adopted the Reading Horizons method. Coaching ensures proper implementation of the program, especially during the first year of instruction. The time can be “tailored” to the institution’s needs.